Truth be told, without countries like China, Australia and all other donor countries, life would be very difficult for Samoa. We also thank Australia for their support, noting that this is the 50th year of diplomatic ties with our biggest Pacific neighbor. We acknowledge with gratitude China’s support for Samoa a relationship for 47 years and growing is certainly a long time. Just like Mr Wang has gone back to Beijing in China. And with that, Ms Wong has returned to Canberra, Australia, where she truly belongs. With those sentiments, the Australian Foreign Minister delivered the announcement of a new Guardian-class patrol boat to replace the badly damaged Nafanua II, a result of the recent General Election crisis. And we will deepen cultural and sporting ties.”įantastic. We will stand shoulder to shoulder with our Pacific family in addressing the existential threat of climate change. “We will increase our contribution to regional security: we understand that the security of the Pacific is the responsibility of the Pacific family, of which Australia is a part.
“We want to make a uniquely Australian contribution to help build a stronger Pacific family – through social and economic opportunities including pandemic recovery, health, development and infrastructure support, as well as through our Pacific labour programs and permanent migration. “We understand that we need to work together like never before, for our peoples and for generations to come,” Ms Wong said. A key part of the visit included a new eight-year Human development and Social inclusion partnership, which promises to tackle Samoa’s most "critical" challenges. And yes like China’s Foreign Minister Mr Wang, she too came bearing gifts.
Like her Chinese counterpart, Ms Wong had also been jet-setting in the Pacific with a visit to Fiji and Tonga. We shall wait and see.īut the dust at the sleepy Faleolo International Airport had barely settled from the departure of China’s Foreign Minister when Australia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Senator Penny Wong, touched down. Last but the most telling was the sentence that reads: “Key to the bilateral relations between China and Samoa is the adherence to the one China principle." The term One China Policy is something to think about.Īpart from being that told that the bilateral agreement will fund “projects to be determined and mutually agreed between the respective countries”, the details of the bilateral agreement have yet to be made pubic. "The meeting covered issues of mutual interest and concern including key regional priorities such as climate change, the pandemic and peace and security.”Īs if we ever needed reminding, we were told that “China is a key development partner for Samoa providing infrastructural developments in the health, education and public administration sectors, human resource development, sports development and technical cooperation in the agriculture sector.” "The bilateral discussions on Saturday was aimed to strengthen diplomatic relations between China and Samoa, which is marking its 47th year this year alongside Samoa’s 60th independence anniversary," a carefully worded joint statement reads. After exchanging a few pleasantries, Minister Wang and Prime Minister Fiame penned an Economic and Technical Cooperation Agreement.
After a late night arrival on Friday night, a meeting with the Head of State, His Highness Tuimaleali’ifano Vaaletoa Sualauvi II preceded the bilateral with Prime Minister, Fiame Naomi Mataafa, the very next day. Spending 16-hours in Apia as part of a whirlwind Pacific tour that culminated in the 2nd China–Pacific Island Countries Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Fiji, the Chinese delegation had a busy schedule. A sign that things are returning to normal with the August opening of international borders drawing nearer.įirstly, Samoa welcomed China’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Wang Yi, last weekend. After nearly three years of not being able to welcome any diplomatic visits due to COVID-19 restrictions, to have two high-level visits within the space of a few days felt rather strange. Christmas this year has certainly arrived early for Samoa, and other Pacific countries.
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